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Well, my first-time experience was not so good. I had booked my first Behind-the-wheel test, right after clearing my written exam, at San Jose DMV. I took a morning slot, around 8:30 AM, at Santa Clara DMV, within a month time gap. I thought that a month of driving is enough to get a license. But sometimes I can be so wrong!
I took a driving class of 6 hours to learn the traffic rules and to get the initial confidence of hitting the road with our own new car. I started driving on weekends and a few times on weekdays with my husband. As the D- Day was approaching, I was getting nervous and was not sure if I were ready for the test. Finally, the day arrived.
My First Driving Test - A BLUNDER!
We reached 15 minutes before my scheduled time and was waiting in the queue. At the counter, they checked my fingerprints and the insurance document, registration document and my husband's license. Once everything verified, I was told to wait in my car, in the lane, meant for driving test. 2 cars were already there, waiting before me. My turn came and an Inspector came for my test. I had to sign my "Driving Performance Evaluation Score Sheet". She checked all the documents and started my "Pre-Drive" Test where I was checked if I knew all the controls of my car. Once satisfied, she sat inside the car and told me to drive ahead. There was a very clear instruction that she was going to tell me where to take a right or a left. If nothing was told, I had to follow the road and traffic rules.
We hit the road and she told me to take a left turn along the "Granade Ave". At "Flora Vista Ave." she asked me to take a left turn. Now, did it ever happen to you when you get confused between your left and right? If not, believe me, you are lucky! Unfortunately, I was not among those lucky ones. I said "Okay" aloud. But inside my mind, I was ready to take a right turn. Near the intersection, my Inspector again repeated that she wanted me to take a Left turn. Then it struck me that I did a big mistake and I panicked!I had already missed my left turning lane and some car was waiting there to take a left turn. I was not sure what I needed to do and then my inspector intervened and asked me to wait till all the traffic clears and then to take a left at the "Flora Vista Ave.". I knew that I had screwed up my test. I was asked to enter the DMV and park on one of those allocated slots. She explained to me that I should not be that nervous and drive more and then again take a test and it was over.
My Second Driving Test - A SUCCESS!
After my first awful experience, I was not willing to go for the test unless I was absolutely prepared. I continued driving, but only on weekends. 3 months passed and I didn't book any appointment. Then one day, suddenly I realized that I would never feel confident enough for the test.So, I told myself " bring it on"! I booked an appointment, again at Santa Clara DMV after 3 weeks time. Although I got advice from many people to take the test at Las Gatos DMV as apparently, it is more strict at Santa Clara. But I took a chance. I started preparing, both ON road and OFF Road. I saw a few videos and the common mistakes that people do in driving test. I started searching for the routes that they usually take the driving test at Santa Clara. I took a print out of the routes and drove on those roads, 2 days before my test. But I was still worried. Reluctantly, I searched in Google if anyone else has faced the problem of getting confused between left and right and if there is any workaround. I was really surprised to find out that it is a common syndrome. Well, that is a different story that I will tell some other day. Somewhere I read to repeat aloud LEFT or RIGHT before taking the turn so that my brain can hear me clearly and can act accordingly.
This time I had booked a slot at 2:30 in the afternoon, on 8th March,2016. We reached there on time and repeated all the steps as before. Only, this time, I had to pay $7 for the re-test. After the initial checking, the inspector got into the car. He gave me the same instruction as before and we hit the road. I drove for almost 20 - 30 minutes and returned to the DMV and my inspector told that I can take my Driving License at counter D. I was ecstatic!
A few pieces of advice from my bag of experience!
- Know the roads and the routes well before taking the test. It builds a confidence and reduces confusion when you are actually taking the test. Here is the list of routes for Santa Clara Driving Test, that I had taken print of and practiced. Also, it includes the route that I had to take, during the exam.
- If possible, book an afternoon slot when the roads are relatively empty and the people on the road are driving in a more relaxed way.
- Need to be accompanied by someone with valid California Driving License on the Behind-The-Wheel test day, even if you are driving well and do not need assistance.
- Carry the below documents without a mistake:
- Appointment Print
- Learner License
- Car Insurance
- Car Registration
- Know your car! Below are the things that are checked as per the PRE-DRIVE CHECKLIST.
- Driver Window
- Windshield
- Rear-View Mirrors
- Turn Signals Front/Back
- Brake Lights
- Tires
- Foot Brake
- Horn
- Emergency/Parking Brake
- Arm Signals
- Windshield Wipers
- Defroster
- Emergency Flasher
- Headlights
- Passenger Door
- Glove Box
- Seat Belts
- Be Conscious and check the mirrors every 5 seconds
- Emergency Vehicle approaching: I knew that I need to slow down and stop at the right curb if any Emergency Vehicle is approaching with sirens ON, in my lane. But I was not sure if I need to do anything if it comes on the other Lane. I did a few research and YES we need to stop at the right curb if we are in the opposite lane and there is no divider. But, no need to stop if there is a divider in between and the emergency vehicle in on the other side.
- Any single critical error implies unsatisfactory result. Critical Errors include the below:
- Intervention by Examiner
- Strikes Object/Curb
- Disobeys Traffic Sign/Signal
- Disobey Safety personnel or safety vehicles
- Dangerous maneuver
- Speed
- Lane violation
- Auxiliary equipment use
- No test on Highways and no parallel parking test. Only need to reverse along the curb, without hitting.
- Total 15 errors are allowed which are not critical
So that is all I had. All the Best for your test! Driving can be terrifying for some people like me! But at the end of that fear, there is a rewarding experience awaiting you. The story how I learned my driving is long and boring. But you can have your own tale to tell.
Good Luck and Drive Safe!
Good Luck and Drive Safe!
